AFCON 2023: Angola dispatch Namibia, reach quarter-final

Published

2 years ago

January 28, 2024

AFCON 2023: Angola dispatch Namibia, reach quarter-final

Gelson Dala raised his Africa Cup of Nations goal tally to four with a brace for 10-man Angola in a 3-0 last-16 triumph over Namibia in Bouake on Saturday.

Surprise package Angola will face Nigeria or Cameroon, who meet later in Abidjan, in a quarter-final next Friday.

After Dala scored twice in the first half, Mabululu netted midway through the second half to effectively end as a contest the clash of southern Africa neighbours.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men by first-half red cards with Angola goalkeeper Neblu and Namibia defender Lubeni Haukongo sent off.

The winning margin was a record for Angola, bettering two-goal victories over Senegal and Malawi in previous Cup of Nations.

The first of eight second-round fixtures was not one that would have been anticipated when the African football showpiece kicked off in the Ivory Coast 14 days ago.

Angola won a group ahead of Burkina Faso, Mauritania and shock casualties Algeria when they were expected to finish third at best given an AFCON record of just four victories in 26 matches.

The best Namibia had managed in three previous appearances was two draws while losing seven other matches. One of the draws was against Angola in Burkina Faso 26 years ago.

Angola, showing two changes from the team that started a win over Burkina Faso last Tuesday, were reduced to 10 men after just 17 minutes.

READ ALSO:

Neblu — one of many Angolans who use a nickname rather than their real name — handled a Bethuel Muzeu lob outside his area and was immediately red-carded.

Reserve goalkeeper Antonio Dominique came off the bench at the expense of midfielder Estrela and was quickly brought into action as he parried to safety a Deon Hotto free-kick.

After a water break to assist players performing in searing 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) heat, the match took a dramatic turn with two goals and another red card in four minutes.

A Gilberto cross and Fredy cutback set up Dala to sidefoot the ball into the corner of the net on 38 minutes.

Namibia surrendered their numerical advantage two minutes later when Haukongo was yellow-carded a second time and sent off by the Mauritanian referee.

Dala struck again on 42 minutes, powerfully heading a Fredy free-kick into the corner of the net to give Angola a two-goal advantage they retained until half-time.

After early second-half pressure from Namibia as they sought the goal that bring them back into contention for a last-eight place, Angola stretched their lead to three goals on 66 minutes.

Having fired narrowly wide, veteran Mabululu almost instantly atoned by sprinting on to a Dala pass before superbly curling a shot past goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.

The unquenchable spirit of the Namibians in the face of a looming loss was demonstrated in the closing minutes when a Riaan Hanamub shot forced a spectacular save from Dominique.

In added time, Angola were denied a fourth goal when a shot from substitute Zito Luvumbo rebounded off the crossbar.

AFCON 2023: Angola dispatch Namibia, reach quarter-final

AFP

Related Topics:AFCON 2023 Angola Namibia

Up Next

(VIDEO) The whole stadium singing Osimhen Anthem after the final whistle

Don't Miss

I will leave Barcelona June 30, says Coach Xavi

Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Cup Title with 3-1 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps

Published

9 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Trends Admin

Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Cup Title with 3-1 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps

Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to their maiden Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup triumph, delivering a masterclass in a 3-1 victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Argentina superstar orchestrated Miami’s attack, providing two assists and creating another goal to secure the historic win, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.

Miami opened the scoring via an early own goal by Edier Ocampo, but Vancouver quickly fought back when Ali Ahmed equalised in the 60th minute. With the Whitecaps looking dominant, Messi struck again, assisting teammate Rodrigo De Paul to restore Miami’s lead. He then supplied the final pass to Tadeo Allende in injury time, sealing a 3-1 victory.

READ ALSO:

The win fulfilled the dream of co-owner David Beckham, who had long envisioned bringing soccer success to Miami. Beckham praised the club’s journey: “We always promised our fans that we would bring success, and bring the best players, and today we’ve achieved that.”

Vancouver, led by Thomas Mueller, had seemed poised to snatch the trophy after leveling the match and nearly taking the lead when Emmanuel Sabbi’s shot struck both posts in the 62nd minute. However, Messi’s quick thinking and precision passing proved decisive, capitalising on a midfield error by Andres Cubas.

The victory marks a historic milestone for Inter Miami, which joined the league as an expansion team in 2020 and successfully attracted Messi in 2023. The MLS Cup triumph also coincides with the retirement of former Spanish internationals Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, key contributors to Miami’s rise.

Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Cup Title with 3-1 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps

Sports

Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure

Published

9 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Trends Admin

Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has launched a stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing the club of “throwing him under the bus” after being benched for three consecutive matches. The outburst has sparked major speculation that the Anfield legend could be playing his final game for the club next weekend before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Salah, Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer with 250 goals in 420 games, was left out of the starting XI in Saturday’s 3–3 draw against Leeds and was not brought on at any point — a decision he said left him “very, very disappointed.”

Speaking in the mixed zone at Elland Road, the 32-year-old expressed shock at losing his place during Liverpool’s poor run, which has seen Slot’s side win just two of their last 10 Premier League matches and drop to eighth.

READ ALSO:

“I have done so much for this club down the years… now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why,” Salah said. “It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. Someone wants me to get all of the blame.”

The Egyptian star claimed he was given assurances last summer about his role, promises he believes have since been broken.
“I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship,” he added. “It seems to me someone doesn’t want me at the club.”

Salah revealed he has already told his family to attend next weekend’s match against Brighton, suggesting it may be his farewell appearance at Anfield.
“I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans before I go to the Africa Cup. I don’t know what will happen when I’m there,” he said.

Despite enduring a difficult season, Salah remains one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players. His rare public criticism marks a dramatic escalation in tensions ahead of his departure for international duty with Egypt.

Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure

Sports

Ferran Torres Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to 5-3 Thrilling Win Over Real Betis

Published

19 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Ferran Torres Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to 5-3 Thrilling Win Over Real Betis

Barcelona moved four points clear at the top of La Liga after a thrilling 5-3 victory over Real Betis at Estadio La Cartuja, courtesy of a first-half hat-trick by Ferran Torres.

Betis took an early lead in just the sixth minute through former Manchester United winger Antony, who scored his fifth goal of the season. However, Barcelona responded quickly, with Torres equalizing from close range before putting his team ahead with a sublime volley two minutes later.

Swedish youngster Roony Bardghji then scored his first La Liga goal, converting Pedri’s assist to extend the Catalan side’s lead to 3-1 after 30 minutes. Torres completed his third goal of the match just five minutes before halftime with a spectacular long-range strike, making it 4-1.

READ ALSO:

In the second half, Barcelona were awarded a controversial penalty after VAR ruled that Marc Bartra handled the ball. Lamine Yamal converted calmly, marking his sixth goal of the season. Betis fought back with goals from Diego Llorente and a penalty converted by Cucho Hernandez following a foul by Jules Kounde, but it wasn’t enough to stop Barcelona’s triumph.

The win strengthens Hansi Flick’s side’s position atop La Liga, keeping them ahead of Real Madrid and maintaining momentum in their title challenge.